Wednesday 18 December 2019

Steaming through 2019

Despite a late start  (did not get on the road until early May) due to finding the Driver's side front wheel bearing had suffered water damage and pressure of work on the famous Crofton Beam Engines   conservation and restoration project which I was leading, we still managed to put 550 miles on the Stanley. We attended several local events, the Steam Car Club of Great Britain New Forest Tour ,  the Kop Hill Climb and the Prescott Autumn Classic and even gave a lift to several steampunk ladies from local group Steamhenge - watch the video

Main winter 2018-19 maintenance task - brake shoe and band reline

Found the Driver's Side outside brake band hanger had fractured, another job added, made a new one from phosphor bronze

Final job - regrease front wheel hubs - and found water damage to the Driver's side inner bearing - a replacement job


Eventually got the car on the road in early May
Power feed pumps leaking more than usual, eventually traced to boiler feed inlet blocked with  scale, all eamed out and another check to be added to regular maintenance schedule 

Out and about at local events, Aldbourne Doggy Day

Aldbourne Doggy Day
Our first failure on the road, fractured feed heater delivery pipe - fortunately happened a coupe of miles from home, so could limp back on Stanley Stored Power

Wanborough Show in July

And won the Favourite Car  trophy! Stanley triumphs again!


Spares collection picked up a set of brake drum castings as the orginal pressed steel drums are getting very thin
The only tour we manged in 2019 a good time had by all

Next to another local steamer, the one that got away last year, a 1903 White

Our cars were pride of place outside Palace House at Beaulieu

Hill climbing again, at the start line at the Kop Hill Climb

And with Morgans at the Prescott Autumn Classic


End season and time for the boiler inspection - burner drop needed this time so bottom tube plate thinkness can be checked

Cild and hot boiler inspections done, drain down, coat brightwork with Renaissance Wax, and tuck car up for the winter


Monday 28 January 2019

I make my cars to go not to stop.....

Ettore Bugatti is rumoured to have said...not a good idea on the open road I think!. So this winter's job is a brake reline....which revealed a broken inside brake band suspension link links the off side of the car, a loose brake shoe lining on the near side, and worn original brake drums....


Checking  template for the new inside link; they are soldered to the brake lever shaft bush, so a new one of those is needed too.


Brake drums off to send away for cleaning up


Relined brake shoe - original bronze casting, one split shoe that flexes, note Stanley part numbers. Shoes are stamped D/SIDE and P/SIDE for identification. Must have confused things when Stanleys switched to left hand drive in 1915!